Spider Mite Control in Australia – Identify, Treat & Prevent | Dr Greenthumbs

How to identify, treat & prevent two-spotted mites before they wreck your plants

What Are Spider Mites?

Spider mites are sap-sucking arachnids (not insects) that thrive in warm, dry conditions. The two-spotted spider mite is the most common culprit in Aussie veggie patches, houseplant jungles and hydro grows. Left unchecked they:

Pierce leaf cells, causing pale “speckling” or bronzing
Spin fine webbing that shields colonies and eggs
Reproduce lightning-fast – a full generation in as little as seven days at 28 °C

How to Identify Damage?

Visual check – Look for pinpoint yellow or white specks that coalesce into bronzed patches.
Paper test – Tap a suspect leaf over white paper; look for tiny moving dots the size of ground pepper.
Webbing – Silky threads at leaf axils or undersides signal an established infestation.
Magnify – A 10× loupe reveals oval bodies with two dark flanks (the “two spots”).

Spider-Mite Life-Cycle & Seasonal Timing

Stage	Duration (at 25 °C)	Notes
Egg	3 days	Laid on leaf undersides
Larva	1 day	3 pairs of legs
Protonymph	2 days	Starts feeding heavily
Deutonymph	2 days	Webbing becomes obvious
Adult	2–4 weeks	Females lay 100+ eggs

Aussie outbreaks spike in late spring and again in mid-summer when temps exceed 25 °C and humidity dips under 40 %. Indoor grows with powerful LED lights can see year-round pressure.

Prevention Tips

Boost humidity – Group plants, mist lightly or run a humidifier.
Improve airflow – Clip dense foliage and install an oscillating fan.
Leaf hygiene – Wipe dust with a damp cloth or use TurboWash Leaf Cleaner to remove residues that shelter eggs.
Regular scouting – Inspect undersides weekly with a loupe. Early detection beats any spray.

Treatment Options & Product Picks

A. Organic & Low-Impact

Goal	Product	Why it works
Abrasive barrier & desiccant	Diatomaceous Earth – Micronised	Food-grade silica scratches mite cuticles; dust leaf undersides or make a slurry spray.
Botanical knock-down	Ed Rosenthal’s Zero Tolerance	Plant-derived oils disrupt cell membranes; safe for edible crops when used as directed.
All-round IPM cleaner	Green Cleaner Natural IPM Concentrate	Soy & citrus extracts dissolve webs and smother eggs without synthetic residues.

B. Conventional Contact Sprays

Situation	Product	Edge
Heavy adult populations	Kendon Pyrethrum Concentrate	Rapid knock-down; breaks feeding immediately.
Dormant trees & ornamentals	Kendon Lime Sulphur	Sulphur & calcium polysulphides kill overwintering eggs.

C. Systemic & Residual Protection

Need	Product	Benefit
Up to 8 weeks shield	Broad Blue Protect RTU	Moves within plant tissue to hit hidden mites; rain-fast after drying.
Extreme infestations (ornamentals only)	Kill-A-Mite	Translaminar mode of action wipes nymphs & adults; use once per crop cycle.

7-Step Action Plan

Isolate affected plants to stop migration.
Mechanical clean-up – Blast undersides with water, then apply Green Cleaner at 15 ml/L to strip webs.
Knock-down spray – Follow immediately with Kendon Pyrethrum (mix 10 ml/L). Repeat 3 days later.
Leaf shield – After knock-down, apply Broad Blue Protect RTU evenly to tops & bottoms of leaves.
Soil & crevice dusting – Puff Diatomaceous Earth on pot rims and media surface.
Monitor & re-treat – Scout twice weekly. If mites persist, rotate to Kill-A-Mite (ornamental use) or a second botanical spray for edibles.
Long-term hygiene – Maintain airflow, humidity above 45 % and wipe leaves fortnightly with TurboWash.

Tip: Always spray at dusk or under low light to prevent leaf burn and give solutions time to work overnight.

FAQs

Will one spray eliminate spider mites?

Rarely. Females lay eggs daily, so plan for at least two follow-up treatments five to seven days apart.

Can I use these products on edible crops?

Diatomaceous Earth, Zero Tolerance and Green Cleaner are ideal for herbs & veggies when used per label. Kill-A-Mite is for ornamental plants only.

Are spider mites resistant to pyrethrum?

Resistance is possible with repeated single-chem sprays. Rotate modes of action (e.g., botanical → pyrethrum → systemic) and integrate cultural controls.

Do I need to treat the soil?

Spider mites live mostly on foliage, but dusting the pot rim and media with Diatomaceous Earth helps stop migrations and emerging adults.

Final Word

Spider mites spread fast but you can beat them with sharp eyes, the right products and a tight schedule. Keep this guide handy, stock up on the treatments above, and reclaim your garden’s health.

Need more pest solutions? Explore the full Spider Mite Treatment collection or email us for tailored advice.

Happy growing!

About the Author

Scott Cheney is the Director and Founder of Dr Greenthumbs, with over a decade of hands-on experience in organic gardening. Growing up in rural NSW, Scott’s passion for unusual plants – from cacti to entheogens – evolved into a full-blown commitment to chemical-free gardening when he bought his first property in Wollongong. For the past 8 years running Dr Greenthumbs, Scott has developed unique, first-to-market products like TurboDirt Water Only soil and 100% dry amendment fertiliser blends. When he’s not testing new mixes, you’ll find him swapping gardening tips like your local mate, not giving the hard sell.

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Spider-Mite Control in Australia